Monday, May 31, 2010

This post is a part of Moira Rogers’ Creature Feature Kindle Throwdown Contest. By leaving a (meaningful) comment, you will be entered to win a Kindle from Amazon.com, or an alternate grand prize of $275 to spend at an online book retailer. For a full list of rules and more ways to win, visit the contest page.

From Moira Rogers: "Welcome to our newest crazy blog shindig! This one is a little different than anything we’ve done before, so make sure you read the directions closely. We’re not just trying to get people to comment on our blog for this contest…we want the epic battle to be fought on multiple fronts!

Sanctuary Unbound goes on sale tomorrow (or today, if you shop at My Bookstore & More!) and A Safe Harbor goes on sale July 13th. The former features a badass vampire lumberjack. The latter, a devious werewolf bootlegger."

I'm officially on Team Werewolf Bootlegger, sorry all you Vampire Lumberjack lovers! I'm a complete wolf-girl at heart and although plaid can be quite appealing to this Canadian girl, I simply can't resist a well dressed man in a suit! So what if his career choices of have put him on the wrong side of the law...more than likely with his werewolf metabolism, the alcohol would have very little effect on him, so what do we have? A man who can keep you in all the latest styles, with an amazing body physique, preternatural senses, loyalty, stamina and he'll never lose that great body no matter what you feed him! And don't forget if you ever lose your way in the woods, he can become furry to keep you warm!...Not that a bootlegger would be wandering around the woods that often...well, maybe just to get his smuggled goods to his waiting patrons!

From A Safe Harbor by Moira Rogers...umm...YUM!"The press of his power didn't help--he was clearly a strong wolf, one full of rough, edgy dominance that stirred the wolf inside her with unrestrained curiosity."

"With him so close, his scent overwhelmed everything. It was masculine, uncompromising, smells she associated with the type of men she'd never had much to do with before Adam. Sweat and dirt and liquor and the lead and gunpowder that meant he had a weapon on him, and underneath all that the indefinable something that said wolf.

Or maybe that wasn't a scent at all, but the brush of magic. It was more primal than smell, an instinctive prompting that told her another wolf was near. And more than that--a strong wolf. A male. An alpha, dominant whether he led a pack or not, a wolf she didn't have to protect. Someone who could help her protect those in her care."

Darklight by Lesley Livingston:Much has changed since autumn when Kelley Winslow learned she was a Faerie princess, fell in love with Sonny Flannery, and saved the mortal realm from the ravages of the Wild Hunt. Now Kelley is stuck in New York City, rehearsing Romeo and Juliet and missing Sonny more with every stage kiss, while Sonny has been forced back to the Otherworld and into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with the remaining Hunters, and Queen Mabh herself.When a terrifying encounter sends Kelley tumbling into the Otherworld, her reunion with Sonny is joyful but destined to be cut short. An ancient, hidden magick is stirring and a dangerous new enemy is willing to risk everything to claim that power. Caught in a web of Faerie deception and shifting alliances, Kelley and Sonny must tread carefully, for each next step could topple a kingdom...or tear their love apart.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where we list all the books we desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click here.

Night Myst by Yasmine Galenorn: Eons ago, vampires tried to turn the Dark Fae in order to harness their power. Instead, they created a demonic enemy more powerful than they dared to dream. Bent on enslaving the world, the Vampiric Fae have been quietly massing their strength for centuries. Now, Myst, queen of the Indigo Court, is rising again...and a long-prophesied war is brewing...

Born a witch, Cicely Waters can control the wind. When her Elemental warns her that her aunt and cousin are in danger, she packs her Pontiac GTO and returns home for the first time in twenty years. But the magical town of New Forest, Washington has changed. The Indigo Court holds the city in fear; people are vanishing, and strange deaths plague the town. Swept into an unexpected and passionate reunion with her trusted childhood friend Grieve, the Fae prince who taught her how to harness the wind, Cicely finds herself with a fierce and territorial lover. But Grieve has become enslaved by Myst's court, and now both lovers must walk a fine line to survive the machinations of the Vampiric Fae Queen. Caught between two evils, both vying for supremacy, Cicely must fight for her family and her future. As she discovers the hidden secrets to her own heritage, will she lose her soul in the process?

13 To Life: A Werewolf's Tale by Shannon Delaney: Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…

When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide--secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early.

Seduced by the Wolf by Terry Spear: Cassie Roux is a wolf biologist who has studied real wolves for years, trying to prove to the world they’re not the evil predators so many people believe them to be. A red lupus garou, who lost her pack and was raised by real wolves, she has dedicated her life to their preservation. Now for the first time, she discovers a female wolf, her mate dead, and the pups and the mother in real danger, and Cassie does everything she can think of to protect them. Until she runs into one stubborn alpha pack leader—werewolf kind—who has other plans for her.

Leidolf Wildhaven is a red lupus garou pack leader of Portland, Oregon and has more troubles than he ever thought possible what with running a pack, a ranch and other businesses, dealing with a couple of cantankerous new lupus garous, and a myriad of other problems when a little red wolf of the lupus garou variety is spotted in his territory. She’d be perfect as his mate, if she agreed. Only the headstrong woman has other priorities, saving real wolves from extinction, when he’s more worried about his own kind’s extinction and winning her heart.

* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.* Turn to page 56.* Find the fifth sentence.* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.* Post a link along with your post back to this blog.* Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

A great time was had by all at the signing tonight at the Yorkdale Indigo! All three ladies, Kim Harrison, Aprilynne Pike and Lesley Livingston, were humorous and it was great to hear them read an excerpt form each of their newest books!

Early to Death, Early to Rise:Seventeen, dead, and in charge of heaven's dark angels—all itching to kill someone.

Madison Avery's dreams of ever fitting in at her new school died when she did. Especially since she was able to maintain the illusion of a body, deal with a pesky guardian angel, and oh yeah, bring the reaper who killed her to his untimely end. Not exactly in-crowd material. It's amazing that her crush, Josh, doesn't think she's totally nuts.

Now Madison has learned that she's the dark timekeeper, in charge of angels who follow the murky guidelines of fate. Never one to abide by the rules, she decides it's time for a major change to the system. With the help of some unlikely allies, Madison forms a rogue group of reapers who definitely don't adhere to the rules of the heavens.

But as she grapples with the terrifying new skills that come with being a timekeeper, Madison realizes she may not be prepared for what lies ahead—unless she gets some seriously divine intervention.

Spells:Six months have passed since Laurel saved the gateway to the faerie realm of Avalon. Now she must spend her summer there, honing her skills as a Fall faerie. But her human family and friends are still in mortal danger--and the gateway to Avalon is more compromised than ever.

When it comes time to protect those she loves, will she depend on David, her human boyfriend, for help? Or will she turn to Tamani, the electrifying faerie with whom her connection is undeniable?

Darklight:Much has changed since autumn when Kelley Winslow learned she was a Faerie princess, fell in love with Sonny Flannery, and saved the mortal realm from the ravages of the Wild Hunt. Now Kelley is stuck in New York City, rehearsing Romeo and Juliet and missing Sonny more with every stage kiss, while Sonny has been forced back to the Otherworld and into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with the remaining Hunters, and Queen Mabh herself.When a terrifying encounter sends Kelley tumbling into the Otherworld, her reunion with Sonny is joyful but destined to be cut short. An ancient, hidden magick is stirring and a dangerous new enemy is willing to risk everything to claim that power. Caught in a web of Faerie deception and shifting alliances, Kelley and Sonny must tread carefully, for each next step could topple a kingdom...or tear their love apart.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

You Slay me:I'm Aisling Grey and I have the job from Hell....Literally. My prior career as a courier began and ended when I traveled to Paris to deliver a six-hundred-year-old golden dragon statue and learned I was a Guardian. That's a keeper to the Gates to Hell to you mere mortals. This I found out from Drake Viero, a scrumptiously sexy (in human form at least) real-life dragon. Then he stole my artifact out from under my nose--and from under the dead body of the person I was supposed to deliver it to.After tracking Drake down at a local bar, I discovered I'm also a wyvern's mate. Ane wouldn't you know Drake is a wyvern? He couldn't be just some underling--he had to be head dragon. But the fact he's the prime suspect behind the murders in Paris's immortal underworld--murders I must sole in order to clear my suddenly soiled name--means it will take some convincing to get me to partake of the sensual pleasures he offers. Just because I'm naive doesn't mean I'm easy.Other than being a murder suspect, conjuring up a demon in the form of a shaggy Newfoundland, and fending off the advances of a horny dragon, I'm having a wonderful time in Paris. Wish you were here....

You Slay Me is the first in the Aisling Grey series by Katie MacAlister and was first published in 2004. This series is filled with humor, adventure and hot...dragons! I hope you pick them up and give them a try!

I invite and welcome anyone interested in participating to post their own "Random Recommendation" (original post) on their blog (and include a link back to this blog) and join in the fun! Some books might not be very recent reads, but I hope that just helps these (sometimes forgotten) books earn a spot on your own bookshelf!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

My Soul to Keep:Kaylee has one addiction: her very hot, very popular boyfriend, Nash. A banshee like Kaylee, Nash understands her like no one else. Nothing can come between them.

Until something does.

Demon Breath. No, not the toothpaste-challenged kind. The Netherworld kind. The kind that really can kill you. Somehow the super-addictive substance has made it's way to the human world. But how? Kaylee and Nash have to cut off the source and protect their friends--one of whom is already hooked.

And so is someone else...

My Soul to Keep is the fourth book (including the short online novella My Soul to Lose prequel) in the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent. This books begins where My Soul to Save left off, Kaylee and Nash have returned from the Netherworld after saving the soul of Addison Page's little sister, Regan. Unfortunately they were not able to save Addison from dying without her soul and it is now in the possession of the hellion, Avari. Four weeks have passed since their return and Nash has begun lying to Kaylee and is hiding a dangerous secret. In her own unique way, Rachel has breached the subject of teen addictions when it becomes apparent that some of Nash's fellow teammates are inhaling Demon Breath known to them only as "FROST". Meanwhile, in exchange for his services as a courier for Avari between the realms, Tod is given one hour a day to spend with Addison's soul. What Tod doesn't know, is that inside the packages he carries back and forth is the Demon Breath Kaylee and Nash are trying to stop their friends from inhaling. Tod and Kaylee soon discover that Nash has also become addicted to Demon Breath and in order to pay Avari for his supply, Nash has given up everything he ever felt in his memories - those of the past and his brother, and the newer ones of Kaylee. Devastated when she learns that Avari has also been possessing her body in order to speak to Nash. A violation near impossible to forgive Nash, for he allowed it to happen on many occasions, and because during those times Kaylee was completely unaware of what was happening to their body, and what Avari might have done with it. After one of Nash's teammates dies from an overdose of "FROST", Nash and Kaylee's father are kidnapped by Avari and taken to the Netherworld where he plans on using them as proxies (a power source) to open a gateway into the human world, and trapping half the population of Kaylee's school in the Netherworld. Kaylee is contacted by the mysterious Alec, who has been a proxy to Avari for decades and wishes to be free, but in order that to happen, Kaylee must risk crossing over to bring him back with her to the human world. Alec promises to help with the rescue of her father and Nash if she gives her word that she will take him from the Netherworld. Kaylee agrees and with the help of Tod and Addison, they are able to thwart Avari's plans and save her father and boyfriend. Now Kaylee must decide if she can ever truly trust Nash again and whether she can believe that he has stopped taking Demon Breath and that he has beaten his addiction for good.

"At closer glance Val saw there was nothing normal about the people in the Underworld. Though perhaps people was the wrong word to use. Some looked human, but others were more like some kind of creature. Monsters, demons, out walking their little creatures, monsters or demons. Seeing them this close up she felt fear suddenly grip her, thinking they might come over and attack, but only one monster even bothered to acknowledge their presence as they walked along the sidewalk. It tipped its hat - at least Val thought it was a hat - at Nathaniel." (Page 140)

Here is how it works:- Grab your current read- Open to a random page- Share two (2 or 3) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)- Remember to show the title & author, too, so that others can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Annnnd my awesome win for the week:Donna Grant is having multiple guest authors to celebrate her upcoming release of Forbidden Highlander and I was chosen as the lucky commenter to win Bound by Darkness by Annette McCleave.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where we list all the books we desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click here.

Chimera by Rob Thurman:Ten years ago, Stefan Korsak's younger brother was kidnapped. No one knew who took Lukas, or why. He was simply gone. But not a day has passed that Stefan hasn't thought about him. As a rising figure in the Russian mafia, he has finally found him.

But when he rescues Lukas, he must confront a terrible truth--his brother is no longer his brother. He is a killer. Trained, brainwashed, and genetically transformed into a flesh-and-blood machine with only one purpose--assassination. Now, those who created him…will do anything to reclaim him.

And the closer Stefan grows to his brother, the more he realizes that saving Lukas may be easier than surviving him…

Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon:At 14, Nick Gautier is an average kid who runs with the wrong crowd. But on the night he decides to go straight and refuses to mug an innocent tourist, his crew turns on him and just as he thinks his life is over... a new one begins.

Kyrian of Thrace isn't just a vampire slayer, he's a Dark-Hunter and he introduces Nick to a world that he never imagined.

With new enemies who make his old ones look like wimps, Nick must either measure up or get sized for a body bag. It's kill or be killed and this kid who was born on the wrong side finds a strength inside him that he never knew existed.

Now if he can only find someone to help battle the demons that don't reside inside him.

Knockout by Catherine Coulter:Seven-year-old Autumn Backman has a gift: She can communicate telepathically with others. Not everyone, mind you, but with a select few with whom she shares a special kinship. When Autumn and her mother, Joanna, take her father's ashes to be buried in the family plot in Brickers Bowl, Georgia, the child witnesses a horrifying sight: her grandmother and two uncles, burying a pile of dead bodies in the middle of the night. They head to Titusville, Virginia, to seek the help of an old family friend, but Autumn senses they need assistance on a grand scale. Using her telepathic powers, Autumn calls a man she'd seen only on television: FBI agent Dillon Savich. But before Savich and his wife and partner, Agent Lacey Sherlock, can get on the scene, Autumn and Joanna flee, fearing the retribution of her uncle Blessed. A huge manhunt ensues, with Titusville Sheriff Ethan Merriweather racing to reach the girl before Blessed can get his hands on her. Blessed's got big things planned for Autumn and her gift, and he'll stop at nothing to force her into his growing army of exploited children. Savich, Sherlock, and Merriweather face their most elusive foes to keep Autumn out of harm's way-before it's too late.

Friday, May 21, 2010

* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.* Turn to page 56.* Find the fifth sentence.* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.* Post a link along with your post back to this blog.* Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Shadow Touch:Elena Baxter can work miracles with her hands. She can coax bones to knit, flesh to heal. She can mend the mind. She has been doing such work for almost all of her twenty-eight years. That is why she was taken.

The media called it a rampage of terror, the recent murders. But fighting crime is why Artur Loginov joined Dirk & Steele. The international detective agency specializes in the impossible, and their creed is simple: Help those in need, no matter how difficult, and no matter what, keep the secret safe. For the agency helps it's employees too: people like Artur - the gifted, the tormented. Dirk & Steele gave the Russian emigre purpose, protection, community...and refuge from his past, for who can trust a man who can start a fire with his mind, or shape-shift, or read others' thoughts as easily as drawing breath? For his similar talent, Artur will be taken.

Into the darkness Elena and Artur will be drawn, into the clutches of evil. Cornered, isolated, caged, they will fight for their very souls. But salvation awaits. It exists in a form least expected: a dream of a face, a brush of a mind, the hint of a kiss, and finally at long last a...SHADOW TOUCH.

This is the second book in Marjorie M Liu's Dirk & Steele series and was first published in 2006. I'm not exactly sure what it is about Artur that makes this book one of my favorites, but he will draw you in and never let you go. I strongly recommend you start with the first book Tiger Eye - I actually had a hard time choosing between the two for today's post! In Tiger Eye, Dela and Hari will make their way into your heart with their romantic tale of adventure and intrigue.

I invite and welcome anyone interested in participating to post their own "Random Recommendation" (original post) on their blog (and include a link back to this blog) and join in the fun! Some books might not be very recent reads, but I hope that just helps these (sometimes forgotten) books earn a spot on your own bookshelf!